Legal rights when my car hit someone in front of me or someone backed into me!! Please help me - I'm a wreck
I was in my school parking lot waiting to pick up my child (there is a long line of cars) when I accidentally let my foot slip off the brake, we we're all stopped and slid into a van in front of me. The driver and I both got out and we saw there was no damage and went on with our lives. About a week later, I get a call from her husband wanting $440.00 for a damaged bumper. He said that was the lowest quote. Now he's calling and harrassing me about payment. What do I do? He says he has a witness that saw the whole thing. Saw his wife get out with me and say there was no damage? I don't understand. I saw her van and there is not a dent or scratches on that back fender as well as not on my front fender. I am so stressed over this. Please help me.
2007-12-06 10:56:10 · 5 answers · asked by LaLa Land 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Call your insurance agent and turn in the claim or pay the man to get him off your case. Just be sure to get a signed, notarized release from all future claims. You don't want him coming BACK to you in a month or two or whenever he hears a squeak coming from the back of his car. This sounds like damage to a bumper hanger or bumper cover.
Remember if you turn in your claim, it would be chargeable as an at fault accident and will make your insurance go up by about 15% on one of your cars for the next three years....it might be less money out of pocket to just pay the man and get on with life!
Good luck and I hope this helps!
2007-12-06 11:02:34 · answer #1 · answered by Insuranceman 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Step 1) call your insurance company and file a claim.
Step 2) do not accept anymore calls from the dork with the van except to inform him your insurance company will be in touch.
Step 3) stop stressing. This happens everyday and it's exactly why you pay for insurance coverage. Your company will handle the whole mess.
2007-12-06 14:39:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a police report, you don't have a leg to stand on - that's why you should always report an accident, whether there's any visible damage or not. And sometimes, the damage isn't visible until you look at it in the right light, or at the right angle. Sometimes, the plastic cracks, but you can't see it until dirt starts to get into the cracks and makes them more visible. Since you hit him from the rear, you will be held responsible. And the price sounds pretty good - I haven't seen a bumper that cheap for years.
Good luck!
2007-12-06 11:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Me 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Make him give you a copy of the estimate for repairs before anything else. It sounds like he may be trying to get money from you and hope that you don't turn it in to an insurance company. if he can't give you one, don't give him any money or mention it to your insurance company. If he won't give you one and still insists on getting money from you go to the police station and report attempted fraud. Perhaps there may have been some damage you didn't see but the estimate should tell you whether that is the case or not.
Good Luck to you!
2007-12-06 11:12:16 · answer #4 · answered by Al B 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They probably damaged it after you had your incident. I expect the "witness" is a friend. Tell them no dice. There is nothing you need to pay for. You already settled the incident with the wife.
2007-12-06 11:03:08 · answer #5 · answered by Otto 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋